Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday heard the Punjab government’s petition concerning the Enforcement Directorate’s searches at multiple locations in Punjab and Chandigarh, with the hearing focusing on the prolonged searches, the alleged detention of officials and the legal maintainability of the state’s plea.
The hearing came shortly after the ED teams concluded their searches at several locations, including the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) headquarters in Mohali.
Punjab government raises concern over 50-hour search
Representing the Punjab government, senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary told the court that the searches had continued for more than 50 hours. He claimed that officials were made to remain inside government offices for an extended period and had to sleep on mattresses arranged at the premises.
Chaudhary described the matter as a dispute involving a central investigating agency and the state government and sought the court’s consideration of the report prepared by the warrant officer.
The court, however, questioned the legal basis of the petition and asked who had authorised its filing on behalf of the Punjab government.
Court questions maintainability of petition
During the hearing, Justice Sanjay Vashisht repeatedly sought clarification about the petitioner and the authority under which the petition had been filed.
The court noted that the petition appeared to have been prepared on the basis of information available through media reports and asked how the concerned Under Secretary had been authorised to support the proceedings.
The Punjab government maintained that the official concerned was an authorised representative of the Home Department. The court asked the state to establish the necessary legal authority before seeking further relief.
The ED, represented by Additional Solicitor General Saty Pal Jain and senior advocate Dheeraj Jain, also questioned the maintainability of the petition.
Officials released before hearing
The court was informed that the officials whose alleged detention had been raised by the Punjab government were released at around 1 pm on Thursday.
The state argued that the release had taken place around the time of the court proceedings and that the issue should not be treated as having ended merely because the officials had been released.
The court observed that habeas corpus proceedings can be used when a person is allegedly kept in unlawful custody. However, it noted that the officials had already been released.
The Punjab government sought access to the warrant officer’s report, while the court indicated that the state’s legal standing to seek the document would also have to be addressed.
ED searches GMADA headquarters
The ED had begun its operation at the GMADA headquarters in Phase 8, Mohali, on Tuesday morning. The agency’s officials and central security personnel remained at the premises for nearly two days.
Officials examined government records and questioned GMADA personnel during the operation. Reports said three floors of the office were sealed and documents were taken into custody. The proceedings were also reportedly videographed.
The ED has not publicly disclosed a complete list of material allegedly recovered during the searches.
However, agency sources cited in reports have claimed that cash of around Rs 2.5 crore, along with gold and silver, was recovered from the residence of a Punjab IAS officer. These claims have not been officially detailed by the agency.
Search at minister’s relative’s residence
The ED also searched the Ludhiana residence of Gurpreet Singh Saini, alias Prince, a relative of Punjab Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, on Wednesday.
The search reportedly began during the afternoon and continued for several hours.
Mundian later alleged that ED officials pressured his relatives to ask him to leave his political party. He also alleged that the agency’s officials behaved improperly during the search. The allegations are attributed to the minister, and no independent verification of them has been established in the information available for this report.
Former Delhi minister’s Chandigarh residence searched
An ED team also reached a Chandigarh residence associated with former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain late Wednesday night.
According to reports, the premises in Sector 39 were locked when the team arrived and the lock was opened to conduct the search.
The development came shortly before the Punjab government approached the High Court.
ED investigation covers 26 locations
According to the ED, searches and surveys linked to the Tirupati Infraprojects Private Limited case were conducted at 26 locations across Delhi, Mohali, Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ludhiana.
The premises included those linked to the company’s promoters, directors and other associated persons. The agency also examined records at GMADA and offices connected with Punjab’s Housing and Urban Development Department.
The ED has linked the investigation to an alleged bank fraud involving around Rs 290 crore. The probe also covers transactions connected with a hotel project in West Delhi, alleged concessions involving dues payable to GMADA and the re-allotment of a cancelled plot.
The agency has further stated that it is examining an alleged financial benefit of around Rs 57 crore and possible irregularities connected with land acquisition and the role of a private consultancy firm.
AAP stages protest outside GMADA office
The ED searches also triggered a political protest outside the GMADA headquarters on Thursday.
Aam Aadmi Party workers gathered outside the office and, according to reports, attempted to enter the premises after crossing police barricades. The protest reportedly led to clashes and pushing between demonstrators and police personnel.
The High Court has asked the media to exercise restraint while reporting on the sensitive proceedings. Further developments are expected as the court examines the legal questions raised by the state government as well as the circumstances surrounding the ED searches.
